Pm-fortilin is a recombinant protein of Penaeus monodon expressed in Escherichia coli. Activities regarding antioxidation and wound healing of the purified Pm-fortilin were investigated in vitro using normal fibroblast cell line L929. Relative viabilities of the cells were determined after exposure to either hydrogen peroxide (0.5 mmol/l for 4 h) or UV radiation (366 nm for 20 min). Significantly decreased viability was observed for the UV exposed cells compared with those incubated with the peroxide. Interestingly, proliferation of the stress-induced cells was improved by Pm-fortilin treatment. The protein’s curing effect was dose dependent. The scratch method was used in the wound healing test on L929 cells. The injured cells distinctively migrated if pre-incubation with Pm-fortilin was carried out. However, such migration ability was compromised if the injured cells were continually in contact with Pm-fortilin. The transcriptions of sydecan-2, dkk1, β-catenin, lrp6, and bmi1 genes in MG63 and HOS cancerous cells were down-regulated following incubation with Pm-fortilin for 5 days compared to those transcribed by L929 cells. The results suggested that Pm-fortilin might be non-oncogenic and is premised for use as a protective or repair agent in topical pharmaceutical products.
